Managing Baby Sleep & Regression At Daycare

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Routine
Just when you feel like you and your baby have finally aced the sleep routine and found the perfect rhythm, it’s time to start daycare. Whilst it can be confronting to introduce change to the delicate equilibrium of your baby’s sleep cycles, daycare can be an important milestone for both baby and carer.Daycare provides your child with many valuable opportunities for social interaction, play and creative learning. Whether you’re returning to work, or simply enjoying some time to recalibrate yourself into life as an adult, you shouldn’t let worrying that your baby won’t sleep at daycare prevent you from taking advantage of this opportunity.
Love To Dream
5 min read |
18 March, 2023

Navigating the transition of your baby to daycare sleep is possible with time and collaboration. Is your baby going to sleep as well at daycare as they do at home? Probably not. But there are a range of tips and tricks you can use to ensure your baby’s journey to settling in at daycare is as smooth as possible. 

Expert tips on helping your baby sleep in daycare and childcare

Like with all things baby, there are no definitive rules when it comes to transitioning to daycare sleeping. Take some time to establish new routines, create consistency, stay in communication with your baby’s carers and try out some of these expert tips. 

Arrange some daycare visits in advance

Most daycare or childcare facilities are happy to provide you and your baby with a couple of sessions to become familiar with the space before you commence your official care period. This provides a great opportunity for your baby to become more comfortable with new faces, sights, sounds and smells.

Spending a few hours with your baby in their new space can help orientate them and prevent the first few days of their daycare journey from being too overwhelming. It gives you both a chance to see where they will have their daycare nap and what sort of light, sound and activity levels might be present. 

Provide familiar sleep aids

At least for the first few months, pack a bag with your baby’s own sleep kit. This can help your baby with napping at daycare. Consider packing your baby’s:

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Write down or talk about your baby’s routines

Share a detailed outline with your baby’s new carers on your current routine, your baby’s tired signs and what settling techniques work best for your little one. This can take a large amount of guesswork away for the carer, and arm them with practical ideas on how to help your baby get their best sleep at daycare. If they know what your baby responds to, you are providing them shortcuts on how best to soothe your child. 

Introduce your childcares sleep sounds at home

If your daycare facility uses particular music, white noise or soundtracks on a daily basis, ask what they are and try to mirror them at home for consistency and familiarity.

FAQ’s about baby sleep and daycare

How do babies go to sleep in daycare?
Babies go to sleep at daycare in a similar way to they do at home, although there is likely to be additional noise, light, sound and disruption from other children for them to navigate. Despite these things, your baby should still become tired and ready for their nap just as they do at home, and with a bit of settling from a carer, they can often find a way to sleep at daycare. 
Do babies sleep more when they start daycare?
As naps at daycare may be shorter and less frequent than they are at home, you may find your little one falling asleep earlier or sleeping longer at home. Much like us, they are simply catching up on some missed Z’s.
Why does my baby sleep more at home than daycare?
At home, it’s much easier to control the circumstances surrounding nap time. You can make the room quiet, dark and set the elements exactly as your baby likes. At daycare, because multiple children are taking naps on different schedules, there is likely to be a fair bit of extra noise, disruption and activity. If your baby is a fairly light sleeper, their nap at daycare may not be as long.
Is it normal for babies not to sleep at daycare?
Some babies find it harder than others to sleep at daycare. If your baby won’t sleep at daycare, be patient and create consistency. It can take some time before your baby feels comfortable enough to take their naps. Baby will still become tired as normal, so with a bit of perseverance, extra settling or perhaps an extra feed, your baby may begin to feel more comfortable to sleep in their new environment.
How do you talk to daycare about naps?
Your childcare team should be highly supportive about working together to help your baby achieve the best sleep routines while in care. Often your child will have a lead carer or primary carer within the daycare setting, whose job it is to become an expert on your child’s needs. You should feel comfortable to make time with your child’s carers to discuss in detail your needs and concerns. Often carers can offer additional suggestions or ideas based on their experience, to help your baby rest at their best.
How long should naps be at daycare?
Napping at daycare should aim to mirror the times they would normally nap at home. Your baby should naturally become tired around the same time. Once they are settled into the daycare environment, you may find they nap for a similar time to what they would at home.
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